A MAJOR musical production that features a story set in Lowestoft is set to hit the stage in its 'hometown' this summer.

The Marina Theatre has scored another big coup by securing Save the Last Dance For Me for a week of performances in early July, ahead of an expected run in London's West End.

The announcement comes only weeks after the theatre played host to the hugely-popular musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, which played to capacity audiences during its February run.

Produced by the same writers, creators and directors as Dreamboats, Save the Last Dance For Me takes audiences back to the early 1960s, and features a soundtrack that includes a host of classic hits from that era.

Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, of Goodnight Sweetheart and Birds of a Feather fame, and featuring the music of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, the production seeks to recreate a nostalgic, feel-good journey through the rock and roll era as the story follows two teenage sisters in the summer of 1963.

Heading off on holiday for the first time without their parents, the two sisters embark on a trip to the seaside and – to make local audiences feel very much at home – a large part of the story is actually set in Lowestoft.

The pair meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local US air force base. But young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds, and the sisters soon realise that, while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.

Featuring a host of 1950s and 60s hits including A Teenager in Love, Sweets for my Sweet, Viva Las Vegas and The Drifters' classic Save the Last Dance For Me, the show opened in January and will be visiting major cities, including Manchester, Nottingham, Liverpool and Bristol, ahead of its arrival in Lowestoft on July 2.

It is then expected to transfer to the West End.

Marina chief executive Martin Halliday told The Journal: 'We're delighted to confirm that we've secured this prestigious new production for our audiences. The show follows the enormous success of Dreamboats and Petticoats which we staged earlier this year, playing to more than 6,000 people during its run. Coupled with the story being partly based in Lowestoft, Save the Last Dance For Me is set to become the must-see production at the Marina this summer, and we advise those wanting tickets to book early as demand is expected to be very high.'

Tickets are available from the Marina box office from today. For information or to book, ring 01502 533200.